Last Kon-Tiki raft crewman dies

Published on December 28th, 2009 | by Sevaan Franks

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Knut Haugland, the last crewman of the Kon-Tiki voyage across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft in 1947, has died.

The explorer died of natural causes in Oslo’s hospital, the Kon-Tiki museum director said.

The expedition was launched from Peru by anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl to demonstrate that South Americans could have settled Polynesia.

The Kon-Tiki sailed with basic equipment some 8,000 km (4,900 miles).

[Full story] [Photo source]

Tags: Boat, Explorer, Knut Haugland, Kon-Tiki, Pacific, Peru, Polynesia, Sailing, Ship

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